Building block



Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

Parizjtrr OFFICE.

JOI-IN HULL, OF SAN- ANTONIO, TEXAS.

.o BUILDING? BLOCK.v

. appnapionllmea irovember'za 19'23. serial Nofevaasa To all Vwhom t Amay ca-noem:

` Be it .known that VIQJOI-Irr V. HLL, ai'

citizen of the'United-States, residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Building Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to building blocks and has special reference to blocks of the type disclose-d in Letters Patent, No. 1,398,- 695, granted to me November 29, 1921. The particular object of the present invention is to so construct the block that the. end members thereof will not be apt to be broken during transportation or handling of the block, and a secondary object of the invention is to provide a block of such form that, when a plurality of blocks are laid in a wall, the number of joint lines appearing in the top and bottom surfaces of a course will be minimized. These objects are attained in the structure illustrated in the accompanying` drawing, and the invention resides in certain novel features which will be partic-ularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view showing the end portions of two blocks adapted to form a corner in av wall and showing the blocks separated but approximately in their proper relative positions, and

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing blocks arranged to form a straight course in a wall.

The body l of the block may be formed of any suitable plastic composition which, when dried and set, will have long life and weather-resisting qualities. At each end of each block is formed a reduced extension 2, the outer face of which is flush with and forms an uninterrupted continuation of the outer face of the body of the block, as shown most clearly at 3 in Fig. 2. On the inner face of the extension or tongue 2 at the outer corners thereof are llugs l which are spaced from each other and from the main body of the block thereby defining a substantially T-shaped seat or passage opening through the end of the block :and through the sides of the same. A rib 5 extends longitudinally of the extension or tongue 2 upon the inner face thereof, the height of this rib being one-half the height of the lugs and the outer end of the rib being iush with the outer end surface of the extension, while the inner end of the rib abuts the end of the mainbody :of the bloclrVas shown clearlyinF2. Where ablocl; isto b-e employed at the corner of a wall, the rib is disposed transversely of the extension or tongue, as shown at 6 in Fig. 2, and the lugs 7 are arranged one at one corner of the extension and the other at the same side of the extension but between the rib and the vertical end wall of the main body ofV the block. The T-shap-ed seat or passage will still open through opposite sides of the block and through the end of the same but the opening through the end will be at a corner instead of at the center' and the opening at one side will be at the center of the extension or tongue. In either form of the device, seats 8 are provided at the opposite sides of one end of the rib and extend to the lugs.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the extensions or tongues at each end of the block are formed at the same side of the block and adjacent blocks arranged in alinement in a course are relatively reversed so that the extension on one block will overlie the extension on the meeting block and the joint between the. blocks will be defined in the top and bottom surfaces of the course by aY single transverse line, as indicated at 9. In the sides of the course, the joint will be de- [ined by lines 10 following the outline of the lugs, as shown and as will be understood.

In assembling the blocks to form a wall, the lugs on one block will engage in the seats 8 upon the opposite block and the ribs 5 upon the two blocks will abut at their opposed faces. The blocks will thus be automatically caused to aline when they are fitted together and may be -very rapidly laid, and, inasmuch as the lugs and ribs with the seats defined by the said elements interlock, relative displacement of the blocks will be prevented with the use of a very small quantity of mortar, cement or other binding material. The construction is such that, when a corner is to be formed, it will not be necessary to arrange the ribs 6 transversely upon both blocks inasmuch as the block carrying the superposed extension or tongue will be disposed at a right angle to the lower tongue and the lugs 4; on the said superposed tongue will be thereby brought into proper position to engage in the seats 8. The blocks may be solid or may have longitudinal openings formed therethrough, as preferredt With a like extension on the meeting end of y an adjacent block, said extension being provided With a central rib adapted to bear against the corresponding rib on the mating extension and the extensions being further provided Withlugs at the opposite sides of the rib of less area than the extension Whereby to define seats at opposite sides of one end of the rib, the lugs upon the extension offo-ne block engaging in the seats upon the extension of the meeting block.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN W. HULL. [1h s] 

